7th July 2003

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DUP knows it will have to deal with Sinn Fein

South Belfast Sinn Fein representative Cllr. Alex Maskey has responded to today's comments from Dr. Ian Paisley as political fantasising.

Cllr. Maskey said:

``The DUP demand for the disbandment of Sinn Fein is as farcical and unrealistic and unrealisable as their demand for a re-negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement.

``The reality is that Sinn Fein is supported by the majority of the nationalist community in the north. The reality is that there will be no renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement. Some of Dr. Paisley's party colleagues know, and privately accept, this. Today's comments are less about Sinn Fein and more about constraining those in the DUP who accept that they will have to come to terms with and deal with Sinn Fein.

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